The annual Golden Plains festival is returning to the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre in 2014, with the first official ticket ballot imminent. Meanwhile, the organisers have announced the first band on the lineup, none other than hip-hop icons Public Enemy.

Elder statesmen of hip-hop, game-changers in the field of production, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, living legends, Public Enemy have released some of the most seminal albums in modern music. With their acrid production and incendiary, political lyrics, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, DJ Lord and the baNNed have broken ground with every release and still put on an epic live show.

Don’t believe us? Just ask Ad-Rock of the legendary Beastie Boys:

“PE completely changed the game musically. I put them on a level with Bob Marley and a handful of other artists — the rare artist who can make great music and also deliver a political and social message. To me, Chuck D is the most important MC in hip hop. Public Enemy made hip hop that was more than entertainment. They inspired a lot of people who believed that you can effect change through music…”

The rest of the Golden Plains 2014 lineup will be released nearer to ballot result time, with organisers promising a stacked one for GP8.

Golden Plains are proud to remain BYO, with no commercial sponsors, a strict “No D!ckhe@ds” rule, and a One Stage Policy so the revellers never miss a thing. The organisers have made it clear that they’re “supremely determined to roll out the Greatest Golden Plains ever.”

Set in the natural beauty of the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, Golden Plains offers beautiful views of the grounds “bathed in glorious autumnal light” and “Spacious Space for camping and glamping and everythinging.”

Tickets are allocated via ballot, with the Subscriber Ticket Ballot ensuring subscribers get priority on the majority of tickets before the rest go on public sale. The Ballot goes for two rounds — on or before Wednesday, 23rd October for existing subscribers and Wednesday, 30th October for new subs — with ballot winners emailed a Golden Code for the Online Ticket Box Office, giving them seven days (or until ballot allocation of tickets runs out) to purchase up to three tickets.

The only ticket type is the Full Golden Plains Experience, which gives punters access to all events Saturday to Monday, plus camping and parking. Tickets are priced at $319 + $10 booking. To enter the first ballot visit the official Golden Plains website before noon Monday, 21st October 2013 and follow the prompts.